Argazi Reservoir

The Argazi Reservoir is the largest artificial body of water in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, created on the Miass River in Argayashsky District, a few kilometres west of the town of Karabash and about 100 km northwest of Chelyabinsk.

History

Construction began in 1939 and was completed seven years later, in 1946, with the dam of the Argazinskaya Hydroelectric Station near the village of Bayramgulovo. Filling the reservoir flooded Lake Argazi, which gave the reservoir its name; the lake's name comes from the Turkic male name "Arguzha," meaning "good master" or "owner."

The shores hold more than 100 monuments and archaeological finds from various eras, ranging from 12,000 years BC to the 18th century.

Characteristics

• length about 22 km, maximum width 6 km;
• average surface area 113 km², average depth 10 m, maximum depth 18 m;
• maximum ice thickness in winter 90 cm, water transparency 3-8 m.

Because the water level fluctuates every year, the shoreline is heavily indented and parts of it are covered with dense forest. The reservoir holds about 45 islands; some are protected as natural monuments, such as Lipovy Island, named for the lime trees growing on it. Bolshoy Svinyach Island has a water sports base with equipment rental and camping spots.

Fishing and recreation

The reservoir is a popular fishing spot: anglers catch pike, ide, perch, chebak (a local roach), pike-perch, ruffe, burbot, vendace and whitefish, with occasional sturgeon and rainbow trout up to 3 kg. Summer fishing favours pike and pike-perch, while winter fishing requires a snowmobile and caution because of the ice.

The reservoir remains a popular summer recreation spot for both organized trips and wild camping on the shore.

Environment

Today the reservoir supplies drinking water to Chelyabinsk. Current problems include the shallowing of the reservoir and the impact of the Karabash Copper Smelting Plant.

Getting there

From Chelyabinsk it is about 100 km to Bayramgulovo, the village closest to the dam, via Chebarkul and Miass. The villages of Bayramgulovo, Turakayevo, Chishma, Sigayevo and Arakayevo stand on the reservoir's western and eastern shores.